The bodybuilder in hijab takes Kochi by storm
Majiziya Bhanu, 23, a student of Dental Sciences, was declared the winner of bodybuilding championship held here on September 9. But sadly enough, the young sportswoman is finding no support from the Government and the community to participate in the World Arm Wrestling Championship under 55 kg category in Turkey in October. The event is slated for October 13-22 at Antalya region in Turkey. She has booked her ticket to travel to Turkey on Oct. 11. The sportswoman also requires funds for constantly upgrading her dieting and other supplements. Her father works as a private cab driver. Mother is a housewife.
Speaking to this scribe on phone from her native village Orkkatteri in Calicut district, Majiziya said another girl trainee belonging to the SC category received full support from the Government while she has been looking around for sponsors.
The final year BDS student was a dark horse in the September 9 event. She was on the way to bench press competition in Alappuzha in the first week of September when someone suggested that she should try her luck at the bodybuilding championship too. She was encouraged by her fiance, Noor Ahamed. Her parents, Abdul Majeed and Raziya, offered their full support. And the resolute woman from the suburbs of Kozhikode stormed into the Kochi championship to flex her muscles. She struck to her favourites suit, the hijab, with which she had been attending powerlifting contest.
Bhanu, who has been training to be a powerlifter for over a year, said that she was clueless about bodybuilding contests when got onto the stage for the semifinals. She did not even know how to pose on stage. She was so tense that she forgot to forge a smile on her face. To her surprise, she was selected to the final.
Officials from the Bodybuilding Association of Kerala encouraged her. They told her she had a good chance and a little smile would help. Bhanu had her hands full though. She had to take part in the bench press championship in Alappuzha on Sept. 10 morning. She topped the senior women's section in the 52-kg category. She was crowned the 'Best Lifter of Kerala".
Equipped with quick tips from the male bodybuilders from her home district, Bhanu faced the crowd with confidence. There was no turning back. She beat the other finalists, including a professional from Mumbai. Bhanu said that she wanted to be a boxer. Her trainer Ramesh, however, suggested that she should focus on powerlifting. She travels from her village in Orkkatteri to the Kozhikode town every week to train with instructor Jayadas. Bhanu said that she wanted to be a boxer. Her trainer Ramesh, however, suggested that she should focus on powerlifting.
Bhanu has been representing her college in several tournaments. She has her eyes set on an international powerlifting title.
She can be contacted on whatsapp no. 95445-45411, cell: 94461-79069, email: majiziya.bhanu@gmail.com
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Two held for trying to 'bribe' Odisha Cong MLAs ahead of RS polls: Party sources
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe Odisha Congress MLAs, who are staying in a resort near here, party sources claimed on Sunday.
Eight MLAs, along with some other Odisha Congress unit office bearers are camping in a resort.
They have been flown to Bengaluru with apprehensions of horse trading during the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of ruling BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate.
According to the Congress sources, two persons were apprehended at a private resort for attempting to buy over Orissa Congress MLAs.
"Two people have been arrested. One of the accused has been named as Suresh. Hunt is on for the third accused, who is a defeated Lok Sabha candidate," a source told PTI.
Blank cheques were also found in their possession, they claimed. They shared the photograph and blank cheques as well.
"They tried to negotiate with the Congress MLAs by offering a blank cheque. Both have been caught and handed over to the Bidadi police," the source said.
Police sources said that they have been arrested.
According to Congress sources, the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha will take place on Monday. The BJP has fielded one more candidate, which raised apprehensions of horse-trading.
Congress and the Biju Janata Dal have fielded a candidate.
